Thumbs Down One-Size-Fits-All Regulation

June 9, 2012

You just never know what might happen as the Bemus Point-Stow ferry makes its 900-something-foot trip across the narrows of Chautauqua Lake.

Why, cables might snap, a clamp might break and then the whole darn thing might drift out to sea.

Golly, what a pickle we'd be in then.

So let us all thank our lucky stars for the state of New York's order that the ferry have an anchor on board.

And an electric horn. Don't forget about the order to have an electric horn because, you know, in an emergency on the single-deck ferry, an electric horn is more effective than the bell they have been using for years.

Yes, yes, you can shout from one end of the 66-foot long ferry to the other, but no doubt it would be easier for the Coast Guard and Navy to find the ferry adrift at sea if it is sounding a mighty electric horn. Oh, and all the cars could honk their horns at the same time too.

As John Cheney, the volunteer who so steadfastly has helped keep the historic vessel running, notes, the one-size-fits-all regulations being forced on the ferry are examples of why New York so rightly deserves its reputation for being unfriendly to business.

And so, thumbs down to the continual prattle by top state leaders that they are going to do something about that, but then they never do.